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Communications Associate

Dhaka

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Dhaka
  • Grade: Consultancy - SB-3 (SC6/SC7), Service Contract, Local Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Administrative support
    • Communication and Public Information
    • COMMUNICATIONS
    • UNW Communications and Advocac
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been collaborating with the Government of Bangladesh and local communities across Bangladesh since 1972, to reduce poverty, strengthen the country’s resilience in the response to climate change and natural disasters, and build capable, inclusive and responsible governance institutions. 
 
Through a new country programme for 2017-2020, UNDP is helping Bangladesh to meet its Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The new country programme is based on broad and inclusive consultations with the Government, other development partners and the civil society. In line with the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), UNDP Bangladesh is focusing on three priorities:
a) Ensuring economic growth is inclusive and supports economic opportunities, particularly for women
b) Improving social policies and programmes, with a focus on good governance and structural inequalities
c) Building resilience and improving environmental sustainability
 
In support of these priorities, UNDP focuses on several crosscutting themes that inform work across a spectrum of individual projects. All initiatives engage two key groups as agents of change: (i) women, addressing their vulnerability and marginalization; and (ii) youth, in recognition of their role as drivers of Bangladeshi economic growth and social change.
 
Throughout our work, UNDP Bangladesh also focusses on harnessing the power of new and innovative technologies. From improved kiln designs for brick-making, to new data-collection methods and platforms for presenting our results, to the digitalization of whole branches of the Bangladeshi government, UNDP is committed to embracing innovative and exciting development opportunities. 
 
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Communications Officer, the Communications Associate will be primarily responsible to provide overall support in development and implementation of the corporate communications plan with a view to influence the development agenda, to promote public and media outreach in order to enhance UNDP’s visibility and to mobilize support for UNDP including financial resources.  
 
The Communications Associate profile will require an independent, entrepreneurial and creative person, capable of drafting and preparing high quality multi-media communications products in both English and Bangla, tailored for specific audiences. Communications Associate will need to have solid knowledge of and experience with new technologies as he/she will work closely with the team in preparation of content for UNDP Bangladesh website and social media channels. Furthermore, Communications Associate will provide full administrative support in maintaining day-to-day activities of the Communications Unit. 
 

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:
  • Support in planning and design of internal and external strategies for communications and outreach 
  • Support in preparation and production of the publications (print and multi-media products) 
  • Maintenance of the UNDP website, intranet, web-based knowledge management system and social media presence
  • Support in organization of events and campaigns
  • Relations with media
  • Drafting high quality communication material such as press releases, success stories, op-eds, blogs and other pieces
  • Provide administrative support in maintaining day-to-day activities of the Communications Unit
1. Provide support to planning and design of internal and external strategies for communications and outreach:
  • Support in planning and elaborating communications needs assessments 
  • Provide strong support in determining the elements of the UNDP BD communications and outreach strategy based on the corporate communications strategy and guidelines.
  • Ensure prober representation of UNDP brand in all communications material
  • Provide guidance to project staff on proper use of branding elements
  • Regularly and actively participate in the work of CO communication group, and occasionally take a lead in organizing meetings. 
  • Actively participate in all joint UN communications activities under UNCAG group
2. Provide strong support in preparation and production of publications (including print and multi-media products):
  • Support in planning and preparation of publications (both print and multi-media products) based on the corporate publications policy.
  • Provide support in coordinating and managing all activities in the process of preparation of publications, including content management, norms for publishing, design, liaison with printers and other suppliers to oversee production and supervision of publications dissemination.
3. Provide support, and occasionally take a lead, in maintenance of the UNDP website, intranet, other web-based systems and social media channels:
  • Regularly maintain the UNDP BD website as based on corporate requirements, using Adobe CQ5 content management system.
  • Contribute content for the CO website through writing human interest stories, news items, features, taking photographs, and recording short videos on UNDP’s work with communities.
  • Support Communications Officer in ensuring active social media presence of UNDP Bangladesh in both English and Bangla. All posts must be coordinated within the team
  • Suggest new online media outlets for increased UNDP presence 
4.   Support organization of events, campaigns and official field visits: 
  • Support in creating and implementing communications campaigns that position UNDP and influence the development agenda based on current programme and new initiatives.
  • Support in managing, promoting and disseminating corporate advocacy material for launching flagship initiatives and publications such as the Human Development Report.
  • Support in creating and implementing public information campaigns on UNDP activities, progress in achieving SDGs, UN Reform, etc.  
5. Media relations
  • Draft high quality written content material for media, such as news articles, press releases and media advisories to be disseminated through press or other online outlets
  • Maintain close working relationships with media outlets and identify journalists from different media outlets who cover development issues
  • Provide media with timely and punctual information on UNDP activities
  • Provide qualitative and quantitative analysis of media coverage
  • Support establishing and regularly maintain media contacts list
6. Draft high quality written communication material such as op-eds, blogs, official letters, speeches, and produce/commission other multi-media products:
  • Write powerfully and clearly in both English and Bangla.
  • Capture development issues, and communicate them and present simply and effectively to a wider audience.
7. Provide administrative support in maintaining day-to-day activities of the Communications Unit:
  • Regularly prepare travel requests, payment orders, requisitions and perform all other administrative tasks related to Communications Unit 
  • Address specific requests from the Country Director and Deputy Country Director, and clusters and projects staff
  • Support Communications Officer in ensuring efficient and effective management of Communications Unit’s budget
  • Contribute in preparation of workplans
  • Develop and maintain close relationship with government officials, multilateral and bilateral donors, civil society and private sector.
  • Maintain regular contact with printers and other vendors to ensure production and publications dissemination
  • Oversee work of communications consultants (photographers, graphic designers etc)
  • Set up and maintain an information database and a photo library

Impact of Results:

  • The key results will have an impact on smooth operation of Communications Unit and thus creation of a positive image and positioning UNDP in Bangladesh as a leading development partner. 
 

Competencies

Functional Competencies:   
 
Advocacy/Advancing a Policy-Oriented Agenda 
  • Supports creation of effective advocacy strategies
  • Contributes to the elaboration of advocacy strategies by identifying and prioritizing audiences and communication means
  • Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for advocacy work
Building Strategic Partnerships 
  • Suports seniour management in sensitizing UN Partners, donors and other international organizations to the UNDP’s strategic agenda, identifying areas for joint efforts
  • Promotes UNDP’s agenda in inter-agency meetings 
Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing 
  • Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches
  • Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise 
  • Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines
  • Continues to seeks new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the Unit
  • Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally
  • Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
Creating Visibility for UNDP/Supporting UNDP’s Capacity to Advocate
  • Supports development of promotional activities based on monitoring/evaluation information identifying areas requiring higher visibility
  • Supports development of messages for use by UNDP staff when working with partners, internationally and nationally
  • Reviews documents and materials intended for use within and outside the organization in order to ensure consistency and validity of messages
Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals 
  • Supports creation of effective global advocacy messages/strategies
  • Contributes to the elaboration of a global advocacy strategy by identifying and prioritizing audiences and messages
Client Orientation 
  • Anticipates client needs
  • Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider
  • Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective
Core Competencies:
  • Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents
  • Building support and political acumen 
  • Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation 
  • Building and promoting effective teams
  • Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication
  • Creating an emotionally intelligent organization
  • Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP and setting standards 
  • Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
  • Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Bachelor degree in English, journalism, communications, media relations, social sciences, or similar subject.

Experience:

  • Minimum 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in public relations, communications or advocacy. Previous experience in development sector, or with a multilateral or international organization will be an advantage. 
  • Experience in the use of IT equipment and office software packages. 
  • Experience in using graphic design and video editing software.
  • Creativity and strong proven skills in photography and graphic design will be an advantage.
  • Good understanding of and experience in working with web-based content management systems (CMS).
  • Experience in crafting and shaping human-interest stories for mass dissemination
  • Proven network of relevant national and international journalistic contacts required.
  • A good knowledge and command in using online social media.

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in Bangla and English (spoken and written)
 

Disclaimer

This vacancy is now closed.
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